The Voice of Podiatrists

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December 18, 2008 #3,428 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX Podiatrist Debunks Foot Detox Pads

Recently marketed absorbent patches with adhesive that allow them to stick to the skin have a mixture of the mineral Tourmaline, bamboo vinegar and wood vinegar. Its manufacturer claims Tourmaline facilitates a chemical reaction, the bamboo vinegar aids in the release of toxins and the wood vinegar ostensibly helps draw toxins out through the skin. Most people put the patches on the soles of their feet (before sleep) in accordance with principles of reflexology, an Eastern discipline that says the organs of the body each have a corresponding zone on the bottom of the foot. White in color when new, the pads are often coated with a dark, smelly gunk by morning, purported to be extracted waste.

Dr. Joseph Snowden

Good luck finding a serious medical professional willing to recommend them. Joseph Snowden, a longtime Austin podiatrist, puts the pads in the same category as products marketed on the Internet promising penis enlargement. Says Snowden of the detox foot patches: "I don't think there's any factual basis they work."

Source: Dale Robertson, Houston Chronicle [12/14/08]

Lunsford Appointed to TX Podiatry Board

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed James Michael Lunsford of Katy, TX to the State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners. The board is responsible for licensing podiatric physicians and regulating podiatric medicine in Texas.

Dr. James Michael Lunsford

Lunsford is a doctor of podiatric medicine in private practice. He is a member of the American, Texas, and Harris County Podiatric Medical associations. He is also a past member of the Texas Podiatric Medical Association and Gulf Coast Podiatric Residency Foundation boards of directors, and is past chairman of the Foundation West Houston Surgical Center governing board. Lunsford received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and a medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He replaces Matthew Lynch of Troy, TX.

Milwaukee Magazine Names 6 Podiatrists as Top Docs

Milwaukee Magazine’s survey of medical professionals reveals the best 250 physicians. Among them are six podiatrists of note:

Dr. Steven Frydman

Steven Frydman -President, Wisconsin Society of Podiatric Medicine. Columbia St. Mary’s, WFH St. Joseph.

Dr. Frank LaVora, Jr.

Frank LaVora, Jr. - Presenter/speaker for American Association of Podiatric Medical Assistants; examiner, American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Dr. Thomas Pietrocarlo

Thomas Pietrocarlo - Clinical instructor, department of family practice, MCW. Foot surgery, sports medicine.

Dr. Jason Boudreau

Jason Boudreau - Columbia St. Mary’s. Podiatric surgery.

Dr. Thomas Czarnecki

Thomas Czarnecki - Aurora Hartford, Columbia St. Mary’s. Foot surgery.

Dr. John Krebsbach

John Krebsbach - Podiatric and flatfoot reconstructive surgery, diabetic wound care and infections, sports medicine.

Source: Evan Solochek, Milwaukee Magazine [12/15/08]

Query: Subluxing, Lesser Digit Flexor Tendon

Has anyone had experience treating a subluxing, lesser digit flexor tendon? The subluxation only occurs beneath the 4th digit when the patient is playing basketball, . Otherwise, the symptoms are not present. When the tendon dislocates (which I have confirmed using ultrasound studies), there is a radiating-type pain, which appears to be due to the close approximation of the plantar nerves. I do not believe this is a neuroma, due to the lack of symptoms at all other times.

Jerry Cosentino, DPM, Tampa, FL

Query: Recovering/Reupholstering Midmark Chair

I have a Midmark 417 podiatry chair that needs to be reupholstered. Does anyone know of a company that will do this?

Vince Marino, DPM, San Francisco, CA

RE: Unicare Contract for Provider Panel (Dale Smith, DPM)
From: Multiple Respondents

If Dr. Smith accepts a contract that pays 75% of Medicare, which previously paid 90% of Medicare, he is going to get paid 15% less; however, this will have reduce your payment by 16.66%. Let's say a Medicare service allows $100. Previously, Unicare would pay you $90. Under the new contract, Unicare would pay you $75. The $15 difference is 16.66% less. And don't forget that it is likely that the Medicare allowables will likely be reduced when the new administration gets in.

These Medicare fee reductions, which were meant to be mandatory when Congress voted them in, were not implemented during the past 8 years, because each year Congress voted to help protect doctor incomes. I don't know if we have the political clout to remain so fortunate with the incoming administration that wants mandated insurance for all.

Keith L. Gurnick, DPM, Los Angeles, CA, keithgrnk@aol.com

Is this reduction to all their prescribers or isolated to podiatrists? If I were a betting man, I would assume reduction relates to podiatric or possible psychiatric services. I don't understand why we are still in the dark when it comes to knowing what the MD's get paid for similar services. My fearful premonition is that our fees will constantly be lowered.

Simon Young, DPM, NYC, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

Dr. Smith sarcastically, but truthfully sums up all of our frustrations as doctors. This is a big problem. I was hoping that belonging to the APMA and the "union" that is involved with the association would be able to help in some sort of way. I am not sure anymore. It seems more like everyman for himself, and we all just go about our business signing these contracts out of fear of needing to see more patients.

Maybe, since Dr. Smith brought it up, we can hear possible solutions. I would have to think there is more than the obvious sign or don’t sign the contract.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MANHATTAN

Park Avenue boutique practice seeks part-time associate. Experience and integrity necessary. Please fax resume and salary requirements to (212) 889-6150.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

FLEXIBLE, Part-Time opportunity with growing podiatric medical group. MUST have CURRENT DME supplier and Medicare provider numbers. Earn over $1,000 per day, with no nursing homes. Fill in any openings you currently have in your schedule. Flexible hours available for your available time blocks. If interested, e-mail scpodgroup@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – CONNECTICUT

Well-established. Grossing 200K; Norwalk/Westport CT. Dr. recently deceased. High Volume Medicare ; NO BROKERS; Please email: berist92@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTH JERSEY

Looking for additional income? We are looking for a part-time associate for busy South Jersey, Burlington, NJ area to help with hospital & nursing home consults, house calls and possibly office hours. Very flexible hours that can be scheduled around your open time blocks. If interested, e-mail CV to jstuart24@comcast.net

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for part-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com

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